Near on 40 teams from the world over compete in the European Rover Challenge (ERC, ERC Space & Robotics), held for the seventh time in the central city of Kielce.
As of this year, ERC is held in a remote as well as on-site formula, with 17 teams competing on-site and 20 remotely. The teams are competing on a specially-designed Martian track (the so-called Mars Yard). Łukasz Wilczyński, CEO of the European Space Foundation and initiator of the European Rover Challenge told Polish Press Agency PAP that this year's Mars Yard is inspired by the Martian volcanic plain Elysium Planitia. It recreates a terrain with volcanoes and lava fields and is "very difficult" to navigate, he said.
ERC is a part of the Rover Challenge Series – the most prestigious robotics competitions in the world, addressed to the world of science and business, the new technologies sector as well as the general public. Events addressed to the wider public include the Inspiration Zone, lectures and presentations, and film screenings related to space. Among this year's guests are NASA's Robert Cabana and planetary scientist Tanya Harrison, who was the first to receive and analyze the photographs sent in by the Curiosity, Opportunity and Perseverance rovers.
ERC takes place between September 10-12 at the campus of the Kielce University of Technology. Admission is free.
Source: PAP